Line 13.2 “Bigotry”

The second line is open, but selectively so. Its natural tendency is to listen first of all to its own kind, those with similar views, background or outlook, and the main task is to learn tolerance toward everyone else without losing its own convictions.

This person has a natural gift for listening, but their attention tends to narrow to a particular circle. They may not notice this selectivity until others point it out. Tolerance here is not indifference but a conscious decision to keep the door open for people who are different. When that works, their convictions grow deeper and the circle of people whose stories they hear becomes much wider and more varied.

Tolerance as the gentlest way of dealing with prejudice. They consciously open up to different people and learn to hear even those they disagree with.

Openness so narrow that hardly anyone seems worth listening to. Even the highest ideals become an excuse for contempt toward those who are not part of the in-group.